The Hon. Ajith P. Perera

¶ 01 Question No. 3 - 1569/2025 to the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development:

¶ 02 AGREEMENT ON MINING MINERALS AND SHIP SALVAGE CONTRACT WITH ASHA MINERALS: DETAILS

¶ 03 (a) Will he state whether Asha Minerals—

¶ 04 (i) entered into a 30-year agreement with the Sri Lanka Cement Corporation at Aruwakkalu before completing a six-month “pilot project” and without obtaining the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers or the Attorney-General; and

¶ 05 (ii) engaged in mining and processing of mineral sands under this agreement despite not possessing a valid mineral licence, which subsequently led to a police raid?

¶ 06 (b) Will he also state whether Asha Minerals—

¶ 07 (i) entered into a salvage contract with Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd. for the removal of scrap metal valued at Rs. 15,526,400;

¶ 08 (ii) took possession of 25,000 MT of ilmenite cargo worth Rs. 300 million, despite objections of the Attorney-General; and

¶ 09 (iii) systematically diverted mineral assets under the purview of the Ministry?

¶ 10 (c) Will he inform this House the measures that will be taken to safeguard State resources, hold offenders accountable and reinstate the rights of legitimate licence holders?

¶ 11 (d) If not, why?